Packing For An Amazon River Tour

July 22, 2015
|
Packing Tips

The Amazon jungle is full of life– its unique environment creates and sustains a diverse range of magnificent flora and fauna. For many travellers, an Amazon river tour is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, and since the amazonian environment isn’t like anywhere else, it can be difficult to know what to pack. Even though Rainforest Cruises has a wide variety of Amazon river cruises, with different amenities and comfort levels, most jungle excursions are very similar. Whether it’s bird watching in the early hours on a skiff, trekking through the rainforest looking for wildlife, kayaking on the Amazon river or relaxing on deck in the evenings, Rainforest Cruises has come up with a packing list to keep you covered for all Amazon river cruise activities.

Amazon Rainforest Packing List

1. Clothing and Shoes for the Amazon Jungle:

Dry-Fit Clothing: Loose-fitting, dry-fit clothing is the best choice to conquer the Amazon jungle heat. It’s very humid in the Amazon and it can take days for clothing to dry.

Long Sleeve Shirts and Pants: Even though its very hot in the jungle, you’ll need to wear long sleeve shirts and pants to protect you from the sun, and more importantly, the mosquitos. Make sure the shirts and pants are light-colored and breathable, as well as loose-fitting. Mosquitos are attracted to dark colors and will bite through tight fitted clothes. Columbia sportswear has a great selection of quick-dry, breathable clothing.

Clothes to wear around the riverboat in the evenings: Loose-fitted, cotton clothes are best to wear onboard the riverboat during your lounge hours.

Shoes and Socks: Most Amazon river cruises provide you with rubber boots (Wellington boots) for your jungle excursions. Be sure to check with your cruise ahead of time, as rubber boots are the best option for jungle walks. Make sure to bring extra pairs of socks, you will need them! While onboard the riverboat, many travellers enjoy wearing flip flops, or comfortable slip-on shoes. Crocs are a great option, they are easy to clean and dry quickly!

Light Windbreaker Jacket: A light, hooded, waterproof windbreaker is great to have on hand for a cooler early morning jungle excursion, or for getting caught in the rain! Most Amazon river cruises will provide you with a rain poncho during a rainforest shower, however, ponchos tend to be heavy and uncomfortable.

Clean clothes for the plane ride: Don’t forget to pack clean clothes for your plane ride home. Most of your clothing will be damp from the jungle’s humid climate. It’s a good idea to keep the clean clothes in a plastic bag while in your luggage.

2. Hats and Headwear for the Amazon Rainforest:

Wide-Brimmed Hat: A light colored, dry-fit hat with a wide brim will help protect you from the sun and mosquitos. It’s important to get a hat that has a “back-flap” to protect your neck from sunburns. Hats are very important in the Amazon jungle.

Headband: For women with long hair or bangs, it’s very useful to wear a headband. The Amazon jungle’s humidity might make a mess of your hair, so it’s best to keep it pulled back.

Hair Elastics: Many of the cruise’s jungle excursions can be quite active, so for optimal comfort, those who have long hair should keep it pulled back.

3. Toiletries to Bring to the Amazon:

DEET Bug Spray: The only way to prevent mosquito bites in the Amazon rainforest is to use a bug spray high in Deet. Spraying your clothes with Deet will also help keep those pesky mosquitos off. Note that some cruise boats do not allow you to spray Deet in the cabins as Deet can ruin the finishings on wood floors.

Medication: It’s very important to pack all daily medication and a photocopy of your prescription. It’s very difficult to find pharmacies in the remote Amazon jungle, so it is best to have all your medical supplies on hand. It is a good idea to pick up some off-the-counter medication (Tylenol, Pepto Bismol) or you can ask your doctor to prescribe you a cycle of antibiotics, just in case!

High SPF and Waterproof Sunscreen: The sun in this part of the world is very strong, you will definitely need a good quality, high SPF sunscreen. Waterproof is best, since the jungle can get very sweaty, and your itinerary might include swimming with river dolphins.

Hand Sanitizer and Cleansing Wipes: Keeping a small bottle of hand sanitiser in your backpack is a good idea incase you need to wash your hands while deep in the Amazon rainforest. It’s also useful to carry some cleansing wipes, to freshen up mid day. Remember to always take your used cleaning wipes with you, and dispose of them in an appropriate place.

Hydrocortisone Cream: Even though you’ll do your best to protect yourself from mosquitos by wearing long sleeved clothing and using deet, you are bound to experience at least one bite. It’s inevitable in the vast Amazon jungle. Hydrocortisone cream will help ease the itch, redness and swelling, caused from insect bites.

Malaria Tablets: Ask your local travel doctor if Malaria tablets will be required for your area of travel.

Biodegradable Shampoo/Soap: Most cruises will provide you with shampoo and soap, but it’s always a good idea to have an extra travel-size bottle on hand. Don’t forget your toothbrush and toothpaste, those are not provided.

4. Helpful Accessories and Gadgets for the Amazon Rainforest:

Binoculars: A good pair of binoculars is very important for the Amazon jungle. Most of the Amazon’s wildlife are up high in the tree tops. Three-toed sloths, monkeys and macaws are all frequently spotted in their canopy habitat. Not all cruises offer binoculars, having your own pair is worth the investment!

Digital Camera with Extra Memory Cards: The Amazon jungle will present you with many photo opportunities. Passing by jungle sceneries, colourful sunsets and the Amazon’s flora and fauna will begin to fill your memory card very quickly. Pack an extra memory card in case you run out of space!

Plastic Zip-Loc Bags: Shower caps or dry bags can also be used instead of Zip-Loc bags. These bags are perfect to store any electronic devices, or pieces of clothing you want to keep dry (socks, clean clothes).

Backpack: A comfortable backpack will work best for your jungle treks. Avoid using a satchel bag (or a purse).

Sunglasses: A good pair of sunglasses will protect you from the sun’s UV rays. Try not to bring an expensive pair of sunglasses incase you loose them in the Amazon river!

Flashlight or Headlamp: Not all cruises or lodges provide flashlights. You’ll need a flashlight or a headlamp for night jungle walks to spot snakes, caimans and other nocturnal species. Some cruises and lodges turn off their power supply at night, and by this time, the Amazon jungle is very dark. If you wake up in the middle of the night, you’ll need your flashlight to move around. Don’t forget to pack a set of backup batteries.

Cash for Tips and Souvenirs: Bring small denominations of cash for souvenir purchases at the local markets. You’ll also need cash for tipping your Amazon guides and crew. Most places will not accept credit cards, and it will be very difficult to find an ATM machine.

What Not to Pack for an Amazon River Tour:

Black Clothing: Keep all of your black clothes at home. Black clothes attract mosquitos and other insects. Additionally, trekking around the jungle under the Amazonian sun, wearing black clothes, will leave you tired and exhausted.

Work Laptop: With wildlife excursions in the morning, Amazon river activities in the afternoon, and Amazonian cocktails in the evening, you won’t have the time to log on to your computer. Wi-fi is rarely available while in the remote Amazon rainforest. Even if you do manage to get online, the connection will not be very strong. Besides, you won’t want to miss seeing pink river dolphins swimming by, or a pack of squirrel monkeys migrating through the jungle canopy.

Tight Clothing: The Amazon jungle is very sweaty, wearing loose, airy clothing will help you feel fresh and comfortable throughout all jungle excursions. Besides, mosquitos are able to bite through tight clothes!

Make-Up: There is no use for makeup in the Amazon jungle. Weather temperatures are high throughout the day and there is always a chance of showers (it is the rainforest after all!).

Jewelry: It’s best to leave your most valuable jewerly at home to prevent any from getting lost in the remote amazon jungle. Since the cruise excursions are usually quite active (piranha fishing, Amazon cooking, etc…) it might not be comfortable wearing rings or bracelets. Some travellers have commented that their fingers were slightly swollen from the heat, making their rings very uncomfortable to wear.

Candies and Sweets: School supplies or clothing are the best gifts to bring for Amazon communities. While all the children enjoy receiving candies and sweets, most of them do not have access to dental care and they lack proper nutrition. Notebooks, pencil crayons, markers, rulers and other school supplies are much more beneficial to the community. You can also ask your Amazon Guide ahead of time what supplies are most needed.

Have you been on an Amazon river tour through the jungles of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador or Bolivia? Send us your packing tips and let us know what item you found most useful while you were in the Amazon region. Contact Us if you have anymore questions about what to pack for an Amazon rainforest tour.

Other blog posts you may enjoy:

Click the Frog to Read the Blog!

About

Welcome to the Jungle Blog! Here we share interesting stories, advice, facts and figures about the amazing Amazon and our other fantastic cruise destinations. Discover the Galapagos Islands, Mekong River and more! To print or save this post to your computer, please click the button below.

Any Questions? Ask Us!

If you have your own questions about any of our destinations, just ask us and we will be happy to help.

Name *

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address *

Phone *

Message

Newsletter Sign Up

Keep up to date with new blog posts, cruise offers and more by signing up to our monthly newsletter!

*

Thank you for signing up to the Rainforest Cruises newsletter.

We respect your privacy and will not pass on your email address to any third parties. You may unsubscribe at any time.

The Rainforest Cruise Team

Disclaimer

Our travel guides and blogs are for informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Rainforest Cruises makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in our Guides or found by following any link on this site. This information is collected from and by participating companies and organizations, official authorities and Rainforest Cruises. Some data subject to change.

Rainforest Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.

About Rainforest Cruises

Rainforest Cruises is a boutique travel company specializing in Amazon river cruises, Galapagos Islands tours, and Southeast Asia cruises. We provide you with the finest collection of cruises in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama and Southeast Asia. As travel experts we have all the advice you need to help you find and book your dream cruise and an unforgettable adventure.